Fond du Lac, WI (WHBL- KFIZ) - Fond du Lac Police have arrested a man in connection with the Microtel Inn & Suites robbery on Sunday afternoon.  

Assistant Chief Steve Klein says investigators have been working on the case since Sunday and it culminated in an arrest Monday afternoon.  

Information led them to a 22-year-old Fond du Lac man at a residence on East 2nd Street. They were also able to locate evidence from the robbery. Klein says the case came together quickly because of excellent police work  

The man threatened a motel employee with a handgun and made away with an undisclosed amount of cash. Klein says the suspect appeared to be motivated by a drug habit. The investigation continues and investigators have not ruled out additional arrests.

Fond du Lac,WI (WHB-KFIZ) -  Fond du Lac Police Chief Bill Lamb says the anti-police movement and attacks on law enforcement officers has to stop. The chief says 2014 was the fifth straight year that ambush attacks were the leading felonious cause of deaths for police officers in the United States, adding there is no more startling a statistic than that.                  

The shooting of a Fox Lake, Illinois Police Lieutenant was the 26^th fatal law enforcement shooting this year. Chief Lamb says it’s upsetting to know that several hundred people rallied in Minnesota last weekend chanting anti-police slogans such as, “Pigs in a blanket, fry ‘em like bacon”. Lamb says it’s appalling that that type of message continues to grow.

The chief also says that most of the public do support law enforcement officers and its time for them to speak up and share that message. He says they need to share that message with leaders on the local, state and national level.

Recently,  people in the Fond du Lac area have demonstrated their support where two law enforcement officers lost their lives in shootings in the past four years.

Sheboygan,WI (WHBL) - 47-year-old Antoine D. Leverett has had numerous run-ins with the law. But according to a criminal complaint filed in Sheboygan County court, Leverett’s most recent run-ins were spent mostly running from the cops- evading capture for bail jumping and disorderly conduct.

 Sheboygan police began looking for Leverett on the night of July 22, 2015, after a woman claims he became physically abusive while visiting her N. 12^th St. home. The woman reportedly told police that she believed a restraining order was imposed against Leverett which restricts him from having any contact with her. Officers searched the area but were unable to find Leverett that night.

Later that same day, an officer spotted Leverett in a park on N. Water Street. The officer said that as he approached Leverett, he began to walk away and refused an order to stop. The officer physically grabbed the man who then stated that the officer had the wrong person. The man denied being Antoine Leverett, and claimed to be “Tony,” Antoine’s alleged brother.

The woman who made the initial call to police was walking with “Tony” and also told police that indeed, he was Antoine Leverett’s brother. The officer bought the story after he was unable at the time to disprove the man’s identity. However the officer later obtained a photo of Antoine Leverett, and realized that the man he spoke to in the park was in fact Antoine.

On two more occasions, officers patrolling in the N. 12^th St. area spotted Antoine, and twice he gave them the slip when a woman at the home sent officers on a wild goose chase, telling them that Leverett ran down an alley.

Then on Tuesday, September 1, 2015 an officer spotted Leverett again on the front porch of the same N. 12^th St. home. Again a woman attempted to tell the officers that Leverett ran away. But this time, the officer did not fall for the story. He called for backup, obtained a search warrant, and officers found Leverett hiding in the basement.

 The responding officers say that Leverett was hiding behind the door in the basement and refused several commands to surrender. The officers say that Leverett became combative and approached them in an aggressive manner. They responded by using a Taser to subdue Leverett and take him into custody.

The officers requested medical attention for Leverett and say that while he was being examined by first responders, Leverett told the officers that they were, “part of the KKK and wanted to shoot people that did not look like them.”

After Leverett was taken into custody, an officer inquired about the incident and the park, to which Leverett replied, “That wasn’t me.”

Leverett is facing eleven counts of bail jumping, two counts of obstructing an officer, and one count of disorderly conduct.

SHEBOYGAN, WI (WHBL) - A Sheboygan man has pleaded innocent to stealing a large expensive clock from Whistling Straits during last month’s PGA Championship.

Hugo Nguyen was back in Sheboygan County Court Wednesday for a preliminary hearing on a theft felony charge. Judge Timothy Van Akkeren found there is enough probable cause for the case to proceed to trial, and allowed the 24 year old to enter the not guilty plea.

Nguyen is accused of trying to steal a large chrome metal clock from the Omega Watch Company tent August 15, valued at eight-thousand dollars.  A deputy says he saw the suspect trying to leave the golf course with the clock, and Nguyen claimed he had won the clock during a putting challenge at the tent.

Online court records show the next court hearing for the case is a pre-trial conference on September 22.

PLYMOUTH, WI (WHBL) - With the Labor Day weekend nearly upon us, it’s time for the annual Sheboygan County Fair to take place. The five day event gets underway Thursday and continues through Labor Day Monday.

This year’s Fairest of the Fair Elizabeth Widder tells WHBL News a new attraction will be the AG-venture tent.  "Which is going to target kids ages three through nine; so you can bring your little kiddos on out there and learn about agriculture, all different aspects of Wisconsin’s agriculture."

Other new attractions every day of the fair include a wildlife show featuring live bears, a sports stunt show, and free stage entertainment.

New in the grandstand this year is the big name musical entertainment, country singer Joe Nichols, on Saturday.  Otherwise, Widder says the rest of the grandstand entertainment is more of the same.  "We have the demo derby on Monday of the fair.  We also have the extreme bull riding and barrel racing coming on Sunday.  And then Thursday night we have the tractor pull like always, and Friday night we have the Badger State tractor and truck pulls."

Kids will have the chance to enjoy some of the same attractions as years past with Tip Top Carnival Rides coming back, and the puppet show hosted by Grandpa Cratchet.

Widder also reminds fair goers to check out displays run by the Sheboygan County 4-H program.  "You’ll see all sorts of cows and chickens and pigs and horses, and then also you can check out the 4-H Youth Building.  That has all the other projects that the 4-H members have been working on."

The price to get in will remain the same as last year.  For a pass for all five days, an adult with parking is $25, without parking is $15.  The daily rates are adults $5, children 10-14 $2, and nine and under is free.  Parking will cost $4 if you don't get it with your daily ticket.  There is also a free shuttle from the Plymouth High School parking lot all five days.

More information about the fair can be found with the link below.

2015 Sheboygan County Fair

CEDAR GROVE, WI (WHBL) - For students and residents in Cedar Grove, the options to stay in shape are being improved thanks to the local school district.

Cedar Grove-Belgium is continuing work on a one-point-seven-five million dollar project to build a new fitness center and indoor activity space.  The space will include exercise equipment for weight lifting and cardio workouts, plus an indoor space for basketball and volleyball.

Ben Lukens, district Director of Buildings and Grounds, says the time came to update some of the existing facilities, and also keep an option available for local residents to keep in shape locally.  "We’ve always had gym and swim and open weight room.  It’s just that the facilities were pretty age, and it was goal of the district and the Board of Education to move in that direction."

Lukens says one part of the project is complete, which was to convert a former weight room into a new locker room for high school teams.  "The football team is currently utilizing it, and then a winter sport, possibly wrestling, and then girls softball or girls soccer come spring."

Work on the activities areas are ongoing, and should be completed by the end of October.  The school district still needs to come up with the policies that will be used for these facilities.

SHEBOYGAN, WI (WHBL) - Two Sheboygan County men will be sentenced next month for beating up and robbing a man earlier this year.

It comes after 24 year old Robert Ritt of Plymouth and 23 year old Steven Adamavich of Sheboygan entered no contest pleas Thursday as part of plea deal.  Judge L. Edward Stengel found Adamavich guilty of robbery and possession with intent to deliver THC, and Ritt guilty of robbery.  Charges of substantial battery, maintaining a drug trafficking place, and possession of drug paraphernalia were dismissed.

Both men were charged back in June after a 22 year old man told Sheboygan Police he was beaten up by the two while trying to buy marijuana, and had an Xbox and wallet stolen.  The criminal complaint states the victim suffered a broken nose, and Ritt admitted his illegal actions to investigators.

SHEBOYGAN COUNTY, WI (WHBL) - The improving health of the Sheboygan River is prompting the state DNR to request the removal of a beneficial use impairment.  The agency is asking for public comments on changing the river’s “Eutrophication or Undesirable Algae” status from “impaired” to “removed”.

The current status was put in place after high levels of pollutants were found in the river between Sheboygan Falls and Lake Michigan, prompting the Environmental Protection Agency to classify this area as an Area of Concern.

Clean up efforts since have resulted in lower phosphorus concentration levels, and higher dissolved oxygen concentrations at Esslingen Park to support fish and plant life.

Camille Bruhn with the DNR says removing the impairment designation is the next step towards the ultimate goal of restoring the waterway.

Comments will be accepted through September 17, with the final decision being made by the EPA.

SHEBOYGAN, WI (WHBL) - It’s been three years in the making, and it was trialed run for two weeks in April, but now Sheboygan South High School is all in with flex mod scheduling for students.

Gone are the seven period days at Sheboygan South High School where students spend the same amount of time in a class.  Flex mod scheduling allows a student to take a more college-like approach, choosing how much time they need to take a certain class.

Principal Mike Trimberger says it gives students the time they need to complete classes and pursue other courses.  "I think it’s a more respectful schedule for our students that actually allows them to choose what they want to do when they are at school around all those same things that you need to do for graduation."

The school has been transitioning to this model over the past three years by adding home rooms and resource rooms.  They also tried it out for two weeks last spring, which helped to find some areas of improvement.  "We learned some things about how to build a schedule," says Trimberger.  "Our students found out that this schedule is actually pretty respectful.  So we’re going into this school year with high expectations about it.”

Trimberger says the school staff supports the change, and students are also showing signs of warming to the change like recent others.  “We’re seeing larger numbers of students now than we had in any of the last three/four years.  Some of the things that we’re doing here with adding more college credits into the school day, creating more internships, and more work-based learning opportunities, and offering a schedule that allows our students to really excel in the high school culture is resonating with a lot of our community.”

As for how to measure the success of the scheduling change, Trimberger says they will look at standardized test scores the next few years, particularly the ACT scores all juniors will be required to take starting this school year.

SHEBOYGAN COUNTY, WI (WHBL) - The Labor Day weekend means an end to the long summer recess for Congress.  Some may have used the time to be with family and friends back home.  Others may have used it to make visits across their district.  A few used it to campaign for President.

For Wisconsin's newest Congressman, he was busy traveling the ten counties that make up the state's sixth district.  Glenn Grothman told WHBL News last month he would try to visit someplace in the district every day in August, and he did just that.

A key focus for him was factory tours, given that the district has the most manufacturing jobs compared to all others in the country.  "People always kind of think that wherever they live is the norm," says Grothman, "but actually in this area - Sheboygan, Sheboygan Falls, Plymouth, Manitowoc, Fond du Lac, you’re going to find more jobs in manufacturing than anywhere else in the country, so I spent a lot of time on that."

Grothman also spoke to local groups and government officials to get their opinions on the overall state of the federal government.  He says district residents shared similar concerns that he has.

"People are concerned about the Iran deal right now because that’s been in the paper very much," says Grothman.  "I’ve also been hearing concerns about an out of the control welfare system.  I mean I talk about that, and whenever I talk about it, people come up with tons of examples."

Grothman's last visits in the district before Congress resumes on Tuesday will be to the Sheboygan County Fair in Plymouth.  He is scheduled to help out at several food stands and be at the Sheboygan County GOP booth on Friday and Saturday.

Sheboygan County, WI (WHBL) -- A Florida fugitive was caught at a Plymouth motel.  37-year-old Robert D. Barrett is accused of committing a burglary in Charlotte County, Florida on August 19, 2015.  A Fugitive complaint filed in Sheboygan county court states that Barrett faces felony assault charges in connection with the burglary.

He allegedly fled to Wisconsin to evade arrest in Florida.

On Monday, August 31, 2015, U. S Marshalls alerted the Sheboygan County Sherriff’s Department that they believed Barrett was staying at the Maple Leaf Motel in Plymouth. Deputies contacted the motel and learned that Barrett was indeed staying at the motel, and registered a room in his own name.

Then, on  Wednesday, September 2, 2015, U.S. Deputy Marshall Josh Bissey and members of the Fugitive Task Force converged on the motel and arrested Barrett without incident.  He is set to be extradited back to Charlotte County, Florida on an active warrant.  It's unclear when Barrett will be transferred to Florida.

Sheboygan, WI (WHBL) – Sheboygan Police Officer Brandon Kehoe needed a morale booster, and he got it Friday afternoon when 200 members of the community converged on the 14^th St. Starbucks to show support for law enforcement.

“It’s hard to read or watch the news without seeing someone marketing the anti-police agenda. It is frustrating. We have a very supportive community here but this is more focused on what the challenges are for law enforcement officers in our nation,” he says.

Officer Kehoe comes from a long line of family members who chose to wear a badge.

Like many others in law enforcement, Officer Kehoe says he has been affected by an apparent rise in anti-police sentiment across the nation. Kehoe says it does hit close to home. “It doesn’t matter what part of the country this is occurring, it affects all of us.   It does have an impact just because things are happening in New York, and Northern Illinois, and now Louisiana and Texas, it doesn’t mean it doesn’t affect us here. We’re all police officers, we all wear a badge, and we all do the same job.  It definitely comes down to the morale and the fiber of how we feel at the job we’re very passionate about.  Obviously what happened to state trooper Trevor Casper is still fresh in all of our memories. When you add all of that cumulatively, it’s very, very difficult for all of us to keep our heads up - with all of this going on.”

Wisconsin state trooper Trevor Casper was killed in the line of duty on Tuesday, March 24, 2015 while exchanging gunfire with an alleged bank robber in Fond du Lac. Casper became the first state trooper killed in the line of duty in Wisconsin since 1972.

For Officer Kehoe, having to say goodbye to the fallen trooper due to a senseless gun battle was hard enough to fathom. He struggles to make sense of the more recent wave of attacks against members of law enforcement. That would explain why Keyhoe bneeded a morale boost.

 “After what happened in Fox Lake Tuesday evening, I was pretty upset about what had taken place and really what’s been going on in the past two years the challenges that law enforcement has been facing. So I just decided to see how many people would join me in trying to get everyone together to support our nation’s law enforcement. I was hoping for 25 people and we got around 200, so I’m very happy about that.”

But, Officer Kehoe also has a strong message of his own for people who do not support the law enforcement community right now. Basically, they are all we’ve got, he says.

“My message is very simple … whether you hate us, or love us, you need to take a time out and just recognize that we’re needed for society to function. We have that line between peace and chaos and there’s no one that is tasked with addressing crime and disorder in the neighborhoods of our community. So, if you have an issue with us, you need to take the time out and realize what we do for the community in this nation.”

Sheboygan County, WI (WHBL) - The holiday weekend took a tragic turn in the town of Greenbush Saturday morning, when an accident on County Road AP at County Road C claimed two lives.

According to a press release issued by the Sheboygan County Sheriff’s Department, first responders were called to the accident scene at 10:21 Saturday morning after a sedan traveling westbound on County Road C collided with the pickup truck. Investigators believe the sedan failed to stop at a stop sign, causing the accident. Both occupants of the sedan were pronounced dead at the scene.

The driver of the pickup truck was ejected from the vehicle and was transported by Flight for Life to Theda Clark Medical Center.

The names of all of the victims involved are being withheld pending notification of next of kin The Sheboygan County Sheriff’s Department’s Reconstruction Team continues to investigate the accident.

Check back for updates on this story.

Sheboygan, WI (WHBL) - Power and gas companies had to be called in to restore power, after a driver snapped a utility pole, and struck a tree in the 3100 block of N. 21^st Street, Saturday night. It happened on the city’s north side.  

Witnesses say the drama unfolded at the intersection of 11^th St. and Geele Avenue where the driver of the vehicle was reportedly driving at a high rate of speed.  That’s when a neighbor who lives on that block decided to follow the speeding car, in order to provide the driver’s location to Sheboygan police. The neighbor lost track of the driver, but later caught up at the scene of the crash on N. 21^st St.

A homeowner witnessed the crash and saw the male driver of the damaged vehicle walk away from the scene, heading south on 21^st St.

Sheboygan police searched for the suspect, and found him roughly 30 minutes later. He suffered no apparent injuries as a result of the accident. He is now facing hit and run charges, and charges for driving without a license.

SHEBOYGAN, WI (WHBL) - Click on the audio links above to re-listen to the latest broadcast of "A Closer Look", a public affairs program on WHBL and WSCS.

On this episode, we take a look at what people should be concerned about regarding their health as the fall season approaches.  Two people from the Sheboygan County Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Nurse Starrlene Grossman and Public Health Educator Libby Holte, share with us tips for parents to make sure their kids are in good health as the new school year is underway.  Also, we discuss vaccinations for kids and adults as the flu season approaches.

WASHINGTON, DC (WHBL) - Congress is back in session Tuesday following the August recess and the Labor Day weekend.  They have a lot on their plate from the Iran nuclear deal and funding for Planned Parenthood.  Another matter Congress must take up is funding the federal government once the new fiscal year begins October 1.

Sixth-District Congressman Glen Grothman says the new budget will be in better shape than recent ones with a three percent spending growth and a five percent growth in tax collections.

He tells WHBL News he would like to see more steps taken soon on lowering the budget deficit, and that could be achieved if his party colleagues has the will to do so.  "We’re gonna see really whether the Republican Congress can get its act together and take solid steps towards balancing that budget."

Grothman also says an issue to be taken up is the debt ceiling, which will need to be increased in order for the government to function.  He is not advocating for a shutdown of government, but at least use it to a certain advantage for majority Republicans.  "And we’ll see whether the Republicans leadership can drive a hard bargain, and make some cuts to spending."

Grothman suggested that an area to reform federal funding is social security disability and what qualifies someone to receive this benefit.

SHEBOYGAN COUNTY, WI (WHBL) - It is the second week of the new school year, and it would be no surprise if some kids are struggling with getting back into the classroom routine.

The Sheboygan County Department of Health and Human Services tells WHBL News parents need to help get their kids so they can do their best in school.

Public Health Nurse Starr Grossman says that includes getting enough sleep.  "Your children should be getting about eight hours of sleep a night, or eight to ten, ten for younger children."

Grossman says one way to ensure a quality sleep is to limit screen time as bedtime approaches.  "Like an hour before bed we don’t watch TV, we don’t listen to our phones or look at our phones.  Those types of guidelines will help to improve sleeping habits."  Also, it is recommended to do certain activities prior to going to bed, such as brushing teeth or taking a shower, that train the brain that it's almost time to go to sleep.

The department adds parents should also be doing their best to provide their children with healthy meals and snacks, and keeping them active to keep them in shape physically and mentally.

SHEBOYGAN, WI (WHBL) - Even though the summer travel season has ended, the annual road construction season will continue as long as the weather holds out before winter.  That will mean another water main project in Sheboygan will be completed, and it gets underway today.

The Sheboygan Water Utility tells WHBL News a new water main will be installed on North Avenue between North Sixth Street and Blackstock Avenue.

The project will result in the closure of thru traffic on North Avenue between the two streets until work is completed.  Traffic will be detoured onto North Eighth Street and Geele Avenues.

Work on the water main should be completed by October 9.

Sheboygan, WI (WHBL) - 26-year-old Markel Hogan of Milwaukee is charged with one count of human trafficking and trafficking of a child after Sheboygan police got a tip from a 15-year-old girl.

The girl was closer than she knew to potential trouble.

The teen told police that she was walking in the area of North 9^th Street and St. Clair Avenue shortly after noon on August 23, 2015, when a white Cadillac pulled up alongside her. A black male and a white female who were inside the vehicle allegedly tried to coax the teen into the car.

The child says that after she refused the initial invitation to get into the car, the Cadillac circled the block and returned - catching up with her at the corner of North 9^th and  Michigan Avenue. This time she says the woman who was a passenger in the vehicle said, “My man really likes you, you want to smoke?” The woman also reportedly told the teen, “You’ll be safe with us, let’s go smoke.” Again, the teen says she refused.

Investigators traced the vehicle to its rightful owner who told police that he loaned the Cadillac to Markel Hogan around 3 o’clock Sunday morning, August 23^rd- the same date on which the teenager later reported the solicitation encounter. Police used that information to track down Hogan, and the woman who accompanied him that day.

It was the interview with the woman that cracked this case wide open.

According to a criminal complaint filed in Sheboygan County court, the woman initially told investigators that she and Hogan did not know the girl's age, and there was never an attempt to lure her for illicit purposes. But, after an observant detective noticed a number of bruises on the woman’s body and inquired about how she obtained the bruises, the woman came clean.

She alleges that Hogan was her boyfriend who became abusive just one month after they began dating. She accuses Hogan of forcing her into prostitution, including in the Sheboygan area where she performed sex acts with at least three men on the morning of August 23^rd. The woman also claims that Hogan demanded $2500 from her as payment, if she wanted to leave him.

On the Sunday in question, after she was allegedly made to perform sex acts for money, the woman says Hogan spotted the 15-year-old walking along North 9^th  Street and reportedly said, “Hey, hey, get that bitch…She’ll be my bitch... She’ll get me money.” The woman says that explains the conversation that the young girl reported to police.

Hogan’s criminal history includes a felony count of second-degree reckless endangerment filed in Milwaukee County. He pleaded guilty to the charge in June 2008, and was sentenced the following July to thirty months in prison, followed by 48 months of extended supervision.

In June 2011, Hogan was arrested again after his extended supervision was revoked, but he has since been released from jail.

If convicted on the trafficking charges Hogan could face up to 40 years in prison and fines of up to $100,000.

Sheboygan, W I(WHBL) -There are currently fourteen sites designated as National Marine Sanctuaries throughout the United States. Only one of those sites listed in the National Registry is in the Great Lakes Region. That is Thunder Bay, which is located in Alpena, Michigan.

 Sheboygan could change that geographical history with shipwreck sites in Lake Michigan that rival some of the current listings, while at the same time upstaging others.

During the Sheboygan common Council meeting held Tuesday night, September 8, 2015, Chad Pelishek, Sheboygan Director of Planning and Development said that The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has already cleared Sheboygan area sites of all but one of the hurdles needed to land final approval, and the President’s signature.

Pelishek says all that is left is for NOAA to decide whether to pursue Wisconsin or Maryland from its inventory list of possible sites. That decision he says could come later this fall.

If Wisconsin in chosen, NOAA would then move forward with an Environmental Impact study of the stretch of water and land to be included.

NOAA received more than 200 letters from supporters of the Sheboygan area sanctuary designation and Pelishek says right now it seems the odds are in the city’s favor, either way.

Pelishek says that already there are plans to promote the shipwreck sites through Marketing and tourism campaigns should Wisconsin lose out the bid for the new sanctuary designation.  Although, clearly the city is hoping for the Marine Sanctuary designation.